Free games!

28/07/2011

Nintendo might be in for a difficult ride as it deals with the poor launch sales of the 3DS (see previous story), but what's bad for them is good for customers. Those of us yet to splash out on a 3DS get to pick one up for cheap. But what about those loyal customers who already bought one? Surely it's not fair that they're punished for their early-adopter ways?

Now, OK, there is a slight catch: they're not actual 3DS games. There are ten free NES games available, and ten free Game Boy Advance games, all available as downloads from the Nintendo eShop.

Available to 'Ambassadors' - those who buy a 3DS before August 12th - the games include Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong Jr., Balloon Fight, Ice Climber, Super Mario Advance 3, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Metroid Fusion, WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames, and Mario vs. Donkey Kong. The NES games will also be available for non-ambassadors to buy, but the Game Boy Advance games are bona fide exclusives, Nintendo says.

This sort of placating has become common in recent years. Apple was sued, slightly ridiculously, by early iPhone buyers after the price was cut a few months into its time on sale. But this is the most generous offer we've seen so far - presumably because the price cut is so large.